Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders

11th - 16th April, 2010

 Europe meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders
The Next EMR Weeklong Seminar will take place from 11th - 16th April, 2010

Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders

The European-Russian Relationship in the next Decade: Priorities and
Strategies

Berlin 11th -16th April 2010

1. European-Russian Relations

Since the collapse of the USSR, Russia has increased its independence, joined a
number of international organizations and developed a strategic partnership with the
European Union. This partnership is based on four main policy areas, described as
“common spaces”: freedom, security and justice; economic
and environmental issues; external security; and research
and education. Agreed upon at the St. Petersburg Summit of
May 2003 the „common spaces“ will continue to be the focus
of the European-Russian-partnership also in the next decade.
The EU and Russia will also continue to co-operate on
dealing with a number of challenges, both at international
level and in their common neighbourhood. These include climate change, drug and
human trafficking, organised crime, counter-terrorism, non-proliferation and the
Middle East Peace Process.

1.2. Economics and Politics

The relations between the two entities have, at times, been strained and there is a
far-reaching history of European-Russian conflict expressed in different views on the
importance of territorial sovereignty, use of military force abroad and the right to self-
determination. Moreover, the insufficient level of democracy in the Russian
Federation in accordance with European standards proves
to be an equally important concern for the European-
Russian relations. However, the current process of
democratisation and market reform in Russia, facilitating
the collaboration of the two entities on the political and
economic arena, proves to be irreversible and will continue
also in the next decade, even though it might be
interrupted from time to time by occasional shocks and
setbacks. One is certain: Russia does not opt for a policy of confrontation and
isolation towards the European Union, but is involved in European cooperation at
„arm's length‟ on the basis of a special partnership relation. Especially in light of
global warming and dwindling energy resources, the respective administrations and
governments have no choice but pursuing the strategy of working together and
engaging in mutual politics in order to overcome these obstacles.

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 Europe meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders
The Next EMR Weeklong Seminar will take place from 11th - 16th April, 2010

1.3. Culture and Education

Cooperation in the spheres of culture and education

between Russia and Europe are continuously developing.
Russian universities have become more actively involved
in European and International programs. Due to this
Russian and European students have increasingly more
possibilities to learn about each other‟s cultures. These
programs, however, are negatively affected by the “passive
isolationism” of younger generations from both Russian and
European backgrounds, who are lacking the motivation to
travel between Europe and Russia and learn about their
cultural values, heritage and their differences. The main
priority in this field for the next decade is therefore creating a
mutual interest of young academics and professionals in their
cultures, values and way of life.

1.4. Extend of Cooperation

The governments of both European countries and Russia share a belief in the
possibility of establishing a European and global order built on cooperation, mutual
understanding, common values, and non-confrontation. Our current way of
communicating, however, is not flawless. It does generate cultural exchanges, but
these can also lead to conflicts and misunderstanding. Cultural Diplomacy is the key
tool to addressing these problems. By creating a constructive dialogue between
governments and representatives, it optimizes the
intercultural relations.
On a national level, there exists a variety of bilateral
initiatives which aim to increase the frequency and
intensity of discussions between members of the EU on
one side and Russia on the other. One such initiative is the Petersburg Dialogue,
which was organized under the supervision of Vladimir Putin and Gerhard Schröder
in 2001. In relation to cultural diplomacy, the Petersburg Dialogue is especially
important because it is not only concerned with political problems, but also with the
problems of civil society and tries to change the perception each country holds of the
other, which is often biased. The European-Russian relations have changed since
the collapse the USSR and in order to maintain peace also in the next decades, a
genuine mutual understanding and cooperation from both sides are vital.

www.culturaldiplomacy.org - Europe Meets Russia 2

 Europe meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders
The Next EMR Weeklong Seminar will take place from 11th - 16th April, 2010

1.5. Financial Crisis: Obstacle or Opportunity?

As such, the financial slump has clearly harmed the Russian economy, especially
through the fall in the price of oil. Instead of solely considering the disadvantages
resulting from this crisis however, it may be more fruitful to take a look at the
opportunities that it creates for the European-Russian
economic relations in the next decade. One of the
potential benefits that Russia and the EU can gain from
the crisis is an impetus for deeper and more thorough
cooperation, striving for a common strategy to deal with
the aftermath of the crisis in the next decade. It is only
through cooperation, not isolation, that Russia and the EU
can establish solid grounds for further development of business relations. Thus, the
financial crisis created an opportunity for the Russian government to reorganize and
modernize its economy and create a new set of institutions and infrastructure for
faster financial transaction.

2. Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders

“Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders” seeks to explore the cultural
side of European-Russian relations.

2.1. Principles of the Forum

Our point of departure is the belief that Cultural Diplomacy is one of the tools which
can help to lay solid foundations for the future of European
and Russian relations based on dialogue, understanding
and trust. The EMR Forum intends to bring together young,
ambitious and active people from Europe, Russia and all
over the world in order to help them understand the spirit of
Cultural Diplomacy and its significance. The Forum
enables them to exchange experiences, ideas and to
receive incentives to improve the current state of affairs. The EMR Forum takes place
several times a year.

2.2. EMR-Forum, 11th-16th of April 2010

The forthcoming EMR-Forum is dedicated to the priorities and strategies of

European-Russian relations specifically in the next decade, based on current
challenges and opportunities the two entities are facing.

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 Europe meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders
The Next EMR Weeklong Seminar will take place from 11th - 16th April, 2010

The following issues will be addressed and explored in particular:

The development of European-Russian relations over the past 60 years and the
probable salient issues over the coming decade
The strategies being employed by Russia and Europe towards each other and the
potential for change in these approaches over the coming decade, looking in
particular at the role of soft power and cultural diplomacy
The increasing integration of the European Union and the implications of this
process for European-Russian relations
Cooperation between Europe and Russia in the fields of sustainability, renewable
energy and climate change

Speakers
The speakers during the Forum will include leading figures from the fields of politics
and diplomacy, academia, civil society, and representatives from the private sector.

Participants
The participants will include students and professionals with an active interest in
European-Russian relations from across the world.

Certificate of Attendance / Sustainable Network

Upon completion of the Weeklong Seminar, all participants will be awarded with an
official certificate detailing the activity of the week and welcoming them to the ICD‟s
Forum, which assists them in furthering their academic and professional prospects by
engaging in a network of likeminded individuals around the world.

In Cooperation with

www.culturaldiplomacy.org - Europe Meets Russia 4

 Europe meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders
The Next EMR Weeklong Seminar will take place from 11th - 16th April, 2010

Institute for Cultural Diplomacy

Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders
Kurfürstendamm 207-8, 10719 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 30 2360 768 0
E-mail: emr@culturaldiplomacy.org
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Website: www.culturaldiplomacy.org